The NASCAR world is reeling from the unexpected passing of Zachary Yager, a highly respected pit crew member. Yager, aged 35, was found deceased following a period of being reported missing. The cause of death remains undisclosed, leaving the racing community in shock and speculation.
Known for his adaptability, Yager earned respect across the NASCAR garage for his ability to step into nearly any role on pit road.
“While he was serving as a Jack Man this season, Yager was well-known as a well-rounded pit crew member, who could perform at nearly every position on an over-the-wall pit crew. Yager previously served as a Tire Carrier and Fueler in addition to the Jack Man role,” per Toby Christie.
Yager Remembered as a Versatile and Respected Pit Crew Member
Beyond his professional skills, those who worked alongside Yager remember him most for his personality and the energy he brought to the team.
“Absolutely devastated. Zach was a great friend at work… talked a lot about growing up in Rochester,” Elijah Burke said. “The running joke was he was a Chris Buescher doppelganger… always had fun with that. He was always smiling and was quite the accomplished guitar player. I’ll miss you, Yager,” Burke added.
Teams he worked with also shared their grief publicly. They honor his role not just as a crew member but as part of their racing family.
“We are deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of our friend and teammate, Zachary Yager,” read a statement from ThorSport Racing. “He was an important part of our family, and our hearts are with his loved ones and community as we grieve this loss together.”
Those closest to him at Elite Race Services, the pit crew company with which he had most recently worked, also expressed shock at his sudden passing.
“Obviously, nobody saw this coming, and we’re in total disbelief,” Cory DeMarco, owner of Elite Race Services, said in a statement to TobyChristie.com. “All of the guys send our thoughts and prayers out to his dad and family, right now.”
From RCR to Daytona 500 Glory: Yager’s Decade-Long Pit Crew Journey
Zachary Yager, a native of New York, built an impressive career in NASCAR pit crews from 2014 to 2024. He worked with top teams like Richard Childress Racing, Team Penske, RFK Racing, and JTG Daugherty Racing, which later became HYAK Motorsports, according to Joseph Srigley.
His biggest achievement came in 2023 when he won the Daytona 500 with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and JTG Daugherty Racing. This victory showed he could perform under pressure on NASCAR’s biggest stage, Karan Yadav stated.
Yager’s career showed his versatility. Richard Childress Racing focused on steady performance. Team Penske emphasized precision engineering. RFK Racing valued teamwork, and JTG used fresh, adaptive strategies. His ability to adjust made him a true “utility knife” in pit crews at all levels.
Before the 2025 season, Yager moved to Elite Race Services, a Mooresville-based company that provides skilled crews to NASCAR teams. There, he took the jackman role for RSS Racing in the Xfinity Series and ThorSport Racing in the Craftsman Truck Series.
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